Power Saving Apparatus and Method for a Portable Appliance

ABSTRACT

A power saving apparatus and method for a portable appliance to automatically enter into power saving mode when the portable appliance is turned off. The invention provides a power saving apparatus and method for a portable appliance to prevent the dam age of electronic elements and damage to saved data caused by the vibration from moving the portable appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a power saving apparatus in an electrical product, more particular to a power saving apparatus and method for a portable appliance.

2. Description of Related Art

With the fast-growing advance technology in the information and computer industry, there are a variety of portable appliances such as the computer, TV, and projector which all have a common feature of convenience to carry.

TW Patent no. M241931 discloses a warning device within a heater. The warning device has an alarm unit disposed between the heater and the power input end of the heater. The alarm unit includes an alarm reminding plate having one end as input end connecting to the power supply, and the other end as output end connecting to the input end of the heater. And also a switch parallelly connects to the alarm reminding plate. When the heater is not inclined, the power directly inputs to the interior of the heater through the switch; when the heater is inclined, the switch is activated to enable the power directly connect to the alarm reminding plate so as to the alarm reminding plate will make the alarm to warn the user.

TW Patent no. M296451 discloses a storage device with protection system having an accelerated sensor unit for sensing the accelerated speed of the storage device to generate the sensor result, and a control unit for controlling the reading and writing element of the storage device for returning to the initial position according to the sensed result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore a primary purpose of the present invention relating to power saving apparatus and method for a portable appliance to provide a power saving apparatus and method for a portable appliance to automatically enter into power saving mode when the portable appliance is raised up.

Another purpose of the claimed invention is to provide a power saving apparatus and method for a portable appliance to prevent the damage of electronic elements and the damage of saved data caused by the vibration from moving the portable appliance.

The present invention relating to a power saving apparatus installed in a portable appliance comprises a sensor unit and a control unit. The sensor unit is used to sense the portable appliance for presenting a first sensor mode when the portable appliance is raised up, and for presenting a second sensor mode when the portable appliance is standing still. The control unit electrically connecting to the sensor unit for detecting the sensor mode presented by the sensor unit, and then outputting a control signal corresponding to the sensor mode; wherein when the sensor unit presents the first sensor mode, the control unit outputs a first control signal to command the portable appliance to enter into power saving mode; when the sensor unit presents the second sensor mode, the control unit outputs a second control signal to command the portable appliance to enter into normal mode.

Further, the present invention relating to a power saving method for a portable appliance having a power saving apparatus with sensing function and controlling function for implementing the power saving method comprises the steps: sensing the portable appliance whether is raised up or standing still; controlling the portable appliance to enter into normal mode when the portable appliance is standing still, and to enter into power saving mode when the portable appliance is raised up.

These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is the demonstration of functional block of the power saving apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is the demonstration of the first sensor mode of the first embodiment for the sensor unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is the demonstration of the second sensor mode of the first embodiment for the sensor unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is the demonstration of the first sensor mode of the second embodiment for the sensor unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is the demonstration of the second sensor mode of the second embodiment for the sensor unit in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of power saving method in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, which is the demonstration of functional block of the power saving apparatus in accordance with the present invention. The power saving apparatus 10 includes a sensor unit 11, a control unit 12, a power supply 13, and a power controller 14. The power saving apparatus 10 is installed in a portable appliance 1; the power supply 13 could also be the power source for providing power to internal electrical elements of the portable appliance 1. The sensor unit 11 is used to sense whether the portable appliance is raised up. When the portable appliance 1 is raised up, the first sensor mode is presented. When the portable appliance 1 is standing still, the second sensor mode is presented. The control unit 12 is used to continuously detect the presented sensor mode sensed by the sensor unit 11.

When the sensor unit 11 presents the first sensor mode, the control unit 12 outputs a first control signal corresponding to the first sensor mode to command the portable appliance 1 to enter into power saving mode. For example, in order to prevent the damage of saving unit 15 and the damage of the saved data of the saving unit 15 caused by the vibration from moving the portable appliance 1, a reading head of hard drive of the saving unit 15 is set in a parking mode, and then the power controller 14 terminates the power output to the saving unit 15. Or, the saving unit 15 and display unit 16 are set to enter into power saving mode. Even to terminate the power output to the saving unit 15 and the display unit 16 by the power controller 14, and then to turn off the power source required by other electrical elements for saving power.

When the sensor unit 11 presents a second sensor mode, the control unit 12 outputs a corresponding second control signal to command the portable appliance 1 to enter into normal mode such that the saving unit 15 and the display unit 16 are commanded to enter into normal mode, or the power controller 14 outputs power supply to the saving unit 15 and the display unit 16 for maintaining normal operation.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which is respectively the demonstration of the first sensor mode and the second sensor mode of the first embodiment for the sensor unit in accordance with the present invention. According to the first embodiment, the sensor unit includes a first touch-sensor switch 111 and/or a second touch-sensor switch 112. The first touch-sensor switch 111 is installed at the bottom 17 of a portable appliance 1. The second touch-sensor switch 112 is installed at bottom 181 of a handle 18 of the portable appliance 1. When the portable appliance 1 is raised up, the first touch-sensor switch 111 presents a first sensor mode shown as FIG. 2. When the portable is standing still, the first touch-sensor switch presents a second sensor mode shown as FIG. 3. In addition, when user intends to raise up the portable appliance by holding the second touch-sensor switch 112 installed at the bottom 181 of the handle 18 of the portable appliance 1, the second touch-sensor switch 112 presents a first sensor mode. When the portable appliance 1 is not raised up by the user resulting that the second touch-sensor switch 112 is not pressed, the second sensor mode is presented.

Referring to the FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, which is respectively the demonstration of the first sensor mode and the second sensor mode of the second embodiment for the sensor unit in accordance with the present invention. According to the second embodiment, the sensor unit includes a first optical module 113 and a second optical module 114 which are used to replace the first touch-sensor switch 111 and the second touch-sensor switch 112 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. For example, the distance between the first optical module 113 and a shielding element 21, such as a table, is set for the explanation of the second embodiment. When the portable appliance is raised up, the first optical module 113 presents a first sensor mode resulting from the fact that the distance between the first optical module 113 and the shielding element 21 is over the predetermined range shown in FIG. 4. Whereas, when the portable appliance is standing still on the table, the first optical module 113 presents a second sensor mode resulting from the fact that the distance between the first optical module 113 and the shielding element 21 is under the predetermined range shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, for example, the distance between the second optical module 114 and a shielding element 21, such as user's hand, is set for the explanation of the second embodiment. When the portable appliance 1 is raised up, the second optical module 114 presents a first sensor mode resulting from the fact that the distance between the second optical module 114 and the user's had is under the predetermined range shown in FIG. 4. Whereas, when the portable appliance is not raised up, the second optical module 114 presents a second sensor mode resulting from the fact that the shielding element 21 is not sensed by the second optical module 114.

Referring to the FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, which is respectively the functional block demonstration of the power saving apparatus and the flowchart of the power saving method in accordance with the present invention. The present invention relating to the power saving method for a portable appliance 1 having a handle and a power saving apparatus 10 with sensing function and controlling function for implementing the power saving method, comprising the steps:

Step (1): sensing the status of the portable appliance 1 by sensor unit 11 of the power saving apparatus 10 automatically whether the portable is standing still or is raised up. When the portable appliance 1 is raised up, the sensor unit 11 presents a first sensor mode; whereas, when the portable appliance 1 is standing still, the sensor unit 11 presents a second sensor mode;

Step (2): continuously sensing the sensor unit 11 by the control unit 12 of the power saving apparatus 10, and then the control unit outputs a control signal corresponding to the alternative of presenting sensor modes; and

Step (3): after the step (2), the interpretation of step (3) is divided into two steps, step (31) and step (32).

Step (31): when the sensor unit 11 presents a first sensor mode, the control unit 12 outputs a first control signal to command the portable appliance 1 to enter into power saving mode; or

Step (32): when the sensor unit 11 presents a second sensor mode, the control unit 12 outputs a second control signal to command the portable appliance 1 to enter into normal mode.

The present invention relates to the power saving apparatus and method for the portable appliance. When the portable appliance is raised up, it is automatically commanded to enter into power saving mode which prevents the damages of electronic elements and the damage of the data caused by the vibration from moving the portable appliance.

Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims. 

1. A power saving apparatus installed in a portable appliance comprising: a sensor unit sensing the portable appliance for presenting a first sensor mode when the portable appliance is raised up, and presenting a second sensor mode when the portable appliance is standing still; and a control unit electrically connecting to the sensor unit for detecting the sensor mode presented by the sensor unit, and then outputting a control signal corresponding to the sensor mode; wherein when the sensor unit presents the first sensor mode, the control unit outputs a first control signal to command the portable appliance to enter into power saving mode; when the sensor unit presents the second sensor mode, the control unit outputs a second control signal to command the portable appliance to enter into normal mode.
 2. The power saving appliance of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is a first touch-sensor switch installed at the bottom of the portable appliance; when the first touch-sensor switch is inactive, the first sensor mode is presented; when the first touch-sensor switch is active, the second sensor mode is presented.
 3. The power saving appliance of claim 1, wherein the portable appliance includes a handle.
 4. The power saving appliance of claim 2, wherein the sensor unit is a second touch-sensor switch installed on the handle of the portable appliance; when the second touch-sensor switch is active, the first sensor mode is presented; when the second touch-sensor mode is inactive, the second sensor mode is presented.
 5. The power saving appliance of claim 1, wherein the sensor unit is a first optical module installed at the bottom of the portable appliance; the first optical module is used to detect the distance between the portable appliance and a shielding element; if the distance is over the predetermined range, the first optical module presents a first sensor mode; if the distance is within the predetermined range, the first optical module presents a second sensor mode.
 6. The power saving appliance of claim 2, wherein the sensor unit is a second optical module installed on the handle of the portable appliance; the second optical module is used to detect the distance between the handle and a shielding element; if the distance is within the predetermined range, the second optical module presents a first sensor mode; if the distance is over the predetermined range, the second optical module presents a second sensor mode.
 7. The power saving appliance of claim 1, wherein the portable appliance further includes a power controller; the first control signal further commands the power controller to terminate the power output.
 8. The power saving appliance of claim 1, wherein the portable appliance further includes a saving unit; the first control signal further commands a reading head of a hard drive in the saving unit to securely stay in parking mode.
 9. The power saving appliance of claim 1, wherein the portable appliance further includes a display unit; the first control signal further commands the display unit to enter into power saving mode.
 10. The power saving appliance of claim 7, wherein the portable appliance further includes a saving unit; the first control signal commands a reading head of a hard drive of the saving unit to stay in a parking mode, and then the first control signal further commands the power controller to terminate the power output to the saving unit.
 11. The power saving appliance of claim 7, wherein the portable appliance further includes a display unit; the first control signal commands the power controller to terminate the power output to the display unit.
 12. A power saving method for a portable appliance which has a handle and a power saving apparatus with sensing function and controlling function for implementing the power saving method comprising: sensing the portable appliance whether is raised up or standing still; and controlling the portable appliance to enter into normal mode when the portable appliance is standing still, and to enter into power saving mode when the portable appliance is raised up.
 13. The power saving method of claim 12, wherein the power saving apparatus senses the portable appliance through a sensor unit; when the portable appliance is raised up, the sensor unit presents a first sensor mode; when the portable appliance is standing still, the sensor unit presents a second sensor mode.
 14. The power saving method of claim 13, wherein the power saving apparatus controls the portable appliance through a control unit; when the sensor unit presents the first sensor mode, the control unit outputs a first control signal to command the portable appliance to enter into saving mode; when the sensor presents the second sensor mode, the control unit outputs a second control signal to command the portable appliance to enter into normal mode.
 15. The power saving method of claim 14, wherein the sensor unit is a touch-sensor switch installed at the bottom of the portable appliance; when the first touch-sensor switch is inactive, the first sensor mode is presented; when the first touch-sensor switch is active, the second sensor mode is presented.
 16. The power saving method of claim 14, wherein the sensor unit is a second touch-sensor switch installed on the handle of the portable appliance; when the second touch-sensor switch is active, the first sensor mode is presented; when the second touch-sensor mode is inactive, the second sensor mode is presented.
 17. The power saving method of claim 14, wherein the sensor unit is a first optical module installed at the bottom of the portable appliance; the first optical module is used to detect the distance between the portable appliance and a shielding element; if the distance is over the predetermined range, the first optical module presents a first sensor mode; if the distance is within predetermined range, the first optical module presents a second sensor mode.
 18. The power saving method of claim 14, wherein the sensor unit is a second optical module installed on the handle of the portable appliance; the second optical module is used to detect the distance between the handle and a shielding element; if the distance is within the predetermined range, the second optical module presents a first sensor mode; if the distance is over predetermined range, the second optical module presents a second sensor mode.
 19. The power saving method of claim 14, wherein the portable appliance further includes a power controller; the first control signal further commands the power controller to terminate the power output.
 20. The power saving method of claim 14, wherein the portable further includes a saving unit; the first control signal further commands a reading head of a hard drive in the saving unit to securely stay in parking mode.
 21. The power saving method of claim 14, wherein the portable further includes a display unit; the first control signal further commands the display unit to enter into power saving mode.
 22. The power saving method of claim 19, wherein the portable appliance further includes a saving unit; the first control signal commands a reading head of a hard drive of the saving unit to stay in a park mode, and then the first control signal further commands the power controller to terminate the power output to the saving unit.
 23. The power saving method of claim 19, wherein the portable appliance further includes a display unit; the first control signal commands the power controller to terminate the power output to the display unit. 